More and more people are deciding adopt, don't buy to a furry friend, and it's not just about gaining a new friend, but also giving them the opportunity to abandon the streets to live in a much safer place, preventing it from being exposed to diseases, being hit by cars, or fights. When a cat is rescued from the street and given a home, it actually Two lives are saved: the one of the animal you are taking in and the one that will be able to take its place in the shelter or in the colony, also receiving care.
However, a certain group of felines needs to be provided with a series of very special care so they can trust us and have a good quality of life with us. Not all cats react the same way to people, and their past greatly influences how they will behave at home. That's why it's important to know how to tame a stray cat y What to know before adopting and what factors will make the process faster or slower.
Types of stray cats
When we talk about "stray cat"In reality, we may be referring to very different profiles. Understanding these differences is key to adjust expectations And to know how far we can go with each type of cat. It's not the same for a cat that has always lived with people and has been abandoned as it is for one that was born and raised on the street with hardly any human contact.
Feral
Before entering the matter, I consider it necessary to make a small clarification: not all the cats that are in the street have been abandoned. There are some who have been raised in this environment since birth and who have never had contact with humans (or have had very little). These are the so-called feral catsAnd however much it hurts and worries us, We won't be able to turn them into couch cats. In most cases, it's because these animals want freedom and control of their territory.
With a truly feral cat, the most respectful approach is usually to use the TNR (trap, neuter, capture, and retrieval) method. sterilization and return) and provide them food, water and shelter in their colony, in addition to basic veterinary care when possible. At most, what could be achieved is that they would come to eat at a fixed spot and tolerate a certain degree of proximity, but without ever enjoying living together indoors.
They are easy to distinguish from other street cats by their behavior: They maintain their distance With people, they don't want to be petted, they can even to grunt and snort (and may even attack us if we don't leave them alone). They usually look for a way out and become very tense when they feel watched. Furthermore, if they live in feline colonies, They find it harder to accept new members, fiercely defending their territory and resources.
In these cats, complete “domestication” is not the realistic goal; the goal is improve their well-being on the streetEnsure sterilization to prevent unwanted litters and reduce their stress by providing the most stable environment possible.
Abandoned
On the other hand, we have cats that have been abandoned, that is, those that at some point they were living with a human family But regardless of the reason, they now find themselves living on the streets. These furry creatures find it very difficult to adapt to street life, because although they have powerful teeth and claws, impressive agility, and a much more developed sense of hearing than ours, They have not been able to perfect their hunting techniques as feral animals have done, and they tend to suffer more to find food.
These cats can have very variable temperaments depending on their past experiences: some have been well treated and remember that humans are a source of affection and securitywhile others may have suffered mistreatment, shouting or punishments and feel a deep fear towards us. Their socialization period as puppies also plays a significant role.
Their behavior towards humans is almost always similar: first, distrustBut then they approach seeking affection when they feel a little safer. Many meow insistently for food or attention, rub against legs, and show clear signs of having lived in a house (for example, They use a sandbox with ease. or they know how to play with toys from day one).
They can (and indeed should) be given a new home, provided their health and temperament allow it. They can't speak, but that's what they desperately need. a safe, stable and loving place where you can leave the street behind.
Young stray cats and kittens
There is also an intermediate group consisting of kittens born on the street or young animals that have had partial contact with people. Depending on the age at which the intervention takes place and the intensity of that contact, they may more closely resemble the feral profile or that of an abandoned cat.
In general, a puppy of a few weeks old that has not yet developed its distrust of humans is easier to socializeHowever, it is also common for them to arrive with significant deficiencies: nutritional problems, parasitesrespiratory or digestive infections and extreme fear to any change. In these cases, combining socialization with a early veterinary care.
Factors that influence the domestication of a stray cat
Before you consider how to tame a stray cat, it's important to keep in mind several factors that will determine how easy or difficult the process will be and how far you can go with it. Understanding these factors will help you act accordingly. realism, patience and empathy.
Some of the most important factors are:
- AgeA puppy or young cat usually adapts better to domestic life than an adult that has spent years on the street.
- Degree of prior socializationCats that have already lived in a house or have been regularly fed by humans tend to trust more easily.
- Negative experiencesHitting, chasing, punishment, or traumatic capture can cause a cat to associate humans with danger.
- Individual personalityJust like people, some cats are more curious and trusting, and others who are more insecure, territorial, or distrustful by nature.
- Health conditionA cat that is sick, in pain, or very weak will have less energy to socialize and may react with more irritability.
- New home environmentA quiet house, with stable routines and few people, usually makes it easier to adapt to noisy and chaotic environments.
Understanding these points will allow you to adjust the pace of each phase, decide whether it is worthwhile to professionalize the process (for example, with the help of a feline ethologist) and even consider whether the most ethical thing to do with a very feral cat is to continue caring for it in its colony, instead of forcing it to live indoors.
How to tame a stray cat?
Socializing with your cat step by step
Whether it's feral or abandoned, an adult cat or a kitten, the first and most important thing to do is build the foundations of a relationship which can be more or less close depending on the cat. There's no exact formula, but there are a series of phases that help most cats feel safer.
Based on my experience, and supplemented by recommendations from feline behavior specialists, I propose a progressive plan in two-week intervals. Please note that the dates are approximate. Some cats will need more time At each stage, some will go a little faster, others a little faster. The key is to always respect their signals.
- First fortnightObserve the cat from a distance (say, about ten meters). It needs to learn that it can continue with its normal life, and that you are only observing it without intruding. It is essential that Don't look him straight in the eyesHe would feel very uncomfortable; in feline language, a fixed gaze can be interpreted as a challenge. When he looks at you, slowly open and close your eyes; this will convey your intention. calm and lack of threat.
- Second fortnightMove a little closer (about five meters). Bring some canned cat food or strong-smelling treats, like pâté or pasta-type snacks. It will most likely be very curious and eager to eat the contents of the can, but Don't pet him yetIt's still too early. For now, just observe him and speak to him in a soft voice. If he doesn't come very close, fill a food bowl with the canned food, leave it nearby, and move back a little so he feels safe enough to eat.
- Third fortnightAfter a month, the cat will usually tolerate your presence, so you can now start getting closer. Sit near him, on the floor or at his level, and let him Let him be the one to approach Let him sniff you. Give him some cat treats, at first scattering them on the floor a little ways away from you, and then putting them in your hand. Don't try to touch him yet if you see him tense up at the slightest movement.
- Fourth fortnightNow you can start playing it for the first time. Take advantage of the moments when you are concentrated eatingThen, gently stroke him with the back of your hand (not the palm), as if you were casually doing something, preferably along his side or neck, avoiding his head at first. He might feel a little uncomfortable or move away at first, but repeat this several times over two weeks and he'll surely get used to it soon, if his temperament allows it.
- Fifth fortnightAfter working with him for all these weeks, it's time to find out if he likes being held. To do this, sit on the floor and call him, offering him a cat treat. When he's close enough, Try to hold it gently Hold it gently for a few seconds, but don't squeeze. Give it some treats while you hold it. If it starts purring and/or becomes very affectionate, it's almost certain it will be a good house pet, so you can move on to the next step: taking it home.
Throughout this process, avoid sudden movements, loud noises, punishment, shouting, or chasing. The cat should always associate you with positive things (food, calm, play) and never with fear or pain. If at any time it backs away, hides more than usual, or starts hissing intensely again, take a step back in the approach until he regains confidence.
Using games and rewards to strengthen the bond
Besides food, play is a very powerful tool for gaining the trust of a stray cat. Many of them struggle to understand what a toy is at first, but their hunting instinct It eventually awakens if you choose the right stimuli.
The games they like best are usually those that involve pursue and catchFeather wands, string toys that move along the floor, lightweight balls, or toys that resemble mice. At first, try to use toys that maintain a certain distance between your hands and the cat, so it doesn't feel cornered or threatened.
Each gaming session can end with a small edible rewardso that the cat associates contact with you with something pleasant. Maintain a routine: for example, a play session in the morning and another in the evening, at roughly the same time, so that the animal has predictability and know what to expect.
How to safely pick up and transport a stray cat
A delicate moment in the process is put the cat in the carrier to take it to the vet or to its new home. Even very affectionate cats can be frightened at the sight of the cage, especially if they have ever been caught roughly.
Some helpful guidelines are:
- Leave the open pet carrier in the environment several days before, with a comfortable blanket and some food inside, so that he can explore it on his own and not associate it only with negative situations.
- Spray the interior with Feliway or synthetic feline pheromones about 30 minutes before using it to make the environment more relaxing.
- Avoid forcing the cat inside; it's better to encourage it to come in. Very appetizing food or place it gently, immediately covering the carrier with a towel to make it feel more secure.
- If your cat has an intense fear of the cage, it may be helpful to ask your veterinarian for advice on using one. pheromones or specific handling guidelines.
Arrival home
Before taking the feline home you have to make sure you have everything the furry is going to needThe basic elements are: feeder and waterer, scraper, bed, toysA litter box, high-quality food (grain-free and by-product-free), and a room where it can go whenever it wants to spend time alone. That space should be quiet, without excessive noise and with safe hiding places.
When you have everything ready, take him straight to this room. Why? Because it will be much easier for him that way. adapt to your new homeIf you let him explore the whole house from the start, he may feel overwhelmed, with too many stimuli, new smells and places to hide, making it difficult for him to bond with you.
In that "adaptation" room, place the litter box in a quiet corner, and the food and water bowls in another area (cats prefer separate food, water, and bathroomand their bed or blanket in a tidy corner. It's recommended that you spend time sitting on the floor, reading or doing something quiet, so they become familiar with your presence without feeling pressured.
As a general rule, your cat shouldn't stay there for more than three days, although with particularly fearful cats it sometimes takes a little longer. During that time, try to be spend as much time as possible with him So he knows he can relax, that from now on everything will be alright. Maintain a routine of feeding times, cleaning the litter box, and short play sessions adapted to his personality.
After that time, when you see him moving more confidently, eating, and using the litter box normally, let him start to search the entire houseInitially, with supervision. Make sure your windows and balconies are securely closed, and if possible, install safety nets to prevent accidental falls or escapes, especially in cats with a strong exploratory instinct.
Visit to the vet
To know how he is in health it is very important that you take him to the vet, but when? The correct answer is as soon as possibleHowever, it is highly advisable to first ensure that the cat trusts you at least a little because, otherwise, the vet visit will be very difficult and the handling will be more complicated and stressful.
During the first check-up, the professional will check your overall statusThey will check for the presence of external parasites such as fleas and ticks, perform internal deworming if necessary, and advise you on the vaccination schedule. vaccines and tests more appropriate depending on their origin. In stray cats, it is especially important to rule out contagious diseases such as feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus.
If you have any doubts, spray your dog with their carrier 30 minutes before leaving to help them feel calmer. It also helps to carry a... blanket or garment with your scent and partially cover the pet carrier in the waiting room to reduce visual stress.
If your pet lives or will live with other animals, discuss this with your veterinarian so they can advise you on how to proceed. presentations securely And when is it prudent to allow direct contact, especially while you haven't yet received all the health results?
With patience, affection, and respect, it is possible to achieve a May the stray cat be very happy in a home. It's just a matter of time, understanding their language, adjusting our expectations to their history, and offering them peace of mind, veterinary care, and sterilization and stable routines so that he dares to trust people again.